Previous studies have shown a high rate of neural tube defects [‎NTD]‎ in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. This case-control study during 2003-04 compared serum zinc levels and other variables in 23 mothers of neonates affected with NTD and 36 mothers with normal healthy neonates in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan. Mean serum zinc levels in the case and control groups were 13.43 micromol/L [‎SD 6.3]‎ and 11.41 micromol/L [‎SD 6.3]‎ respectively. Zinc deficiency was found in 13 [‎36.5%]‎ of the cases and 7 [‎19.4%]‎ of the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed an association between the presence of NTD and zinc deficiency [‎OR 5.06; 95% CI: 1.51-16.94]‎

We determined the rates of neural tube defects at a referral hospital in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran, and the relations of these abnormalities to sex, maternal ethnicity, maternal age and season. During 1998-2003, there were 109 cases among 37 951 births, a prevalence of 28.7 per 10 000 [‎24.8 and 32.8 per 10 000 among males and females respectively]‎. The rates in Turkmen, native Fars and Sistani ethnic groups were 40.5, 25.2 and 30.8 per 10 000 respectively. The rates of spina bifida and anencephaly were 16.3 and 11.3 per 10 000 ...